Craft
The part nobody sees.
Every gown that leaves Maria Silva’s has been pinned, stitched and pressed by hand — whether it came off our rail or someone else’s.
Why it matters
A dress that fits disappears.
Off the rail, almost no gown fits perfectly — that’s normal, not a flaw in the dress. The alterations table is where it stops being a lovely dress and starts being your dress.
Maria does every fitting herself, by hand, on-site — so the gown you tried on is exactly the one you’ll wear.
What we do
Every kind of adjustment
Hemming & length
Floor-length, tea-length, or somewhere between — hems finished by hand so the lace or beading lines up.
Taking in & letting out
Bodices, waists and side seams adjusted for a close fit without pulling or gaping.
Straps & necklines
Restyled straps, added sleeves, or a neckline taken in for comfort and coverage.
Bustles for trains
A hidden bustle so a wedding train lifts cleanly for the reception and dancing.
Zips & closures
Replaced zips, added corset backs, or hook-and-eye closures for a secure, comfortable fit.
Pressing & final finish
Every gown is steamed and pressed before collection, ready to wear straight from the garment bag.
What to expect
Pins to press, in three visits
First fitting
Everything gets pinned
Wear the shoes and underwear you’ll actually have on the day — it changes how everything sits. Maria pins the changes there and then.
Second fitting
Try the changes on
The pinned adjustments are sewn in, and you try the gown again to check everything moves, sits and closes the way it should.
Collection
Steamed, pressed, bagged
A final check, a press, and it goes home on a garment bag — usually timed for a week or two before you need it.
Rough guide
What alterations tend to cost
Every gown is different, so prices are always confirmed at your fitting — this is just a starting point.
| Hemming (bridal, floor length) | from £45 |
| Hemming (prom / occasion) | from £30 |
| Taking in bodice or waist | from £35 |
| Adding or restyling straps | from £25 |
| Bustle for a train | from £55 |
| Zip or closure replacement | from £20 |
Prices shown are for gowns purchased at Maria Silva’s. Alterations on dresses from elsewhere are welcome too, and are quoted individually at your fitting.
Bought your dress somewhere else?
That’s completely fine — Maria alters gowns from other shops too. Bring it in and we’ll take a look.